Drink Different: Feasible Strategies to Reduce Obesity
Each day, Americans make choices about what they will eat and drink. Often, these are unhealthy ones, contributing to a national obesity rate of more than 33 percent. Lowering this rate is key to controlling rising health-care costs and improving quality of life. Milken Institute health economists conducted the first-ever analysis of the effect lowering consumption of sugary drinks – a leading cause of obesity – would have on public health and finances.
They discovered that even a modest reduction would have a major health impact and generate solid economic dividends: In 2030, if Americans consume on average three fewer 12-ounce sugar-sweetened drinks per month compared to continuing on the current trend, the number of obese Americans would be reduced by 2.6 million, producing an overall savings of more than $25 billion for the U.S health-care system. Check out Drink Different to learn more and see our recommendations for policymakers and business leaders.